Who is the Boss? Part 2

Last
time I wrote about the boss and how to be a great one. This time, I’d like to write about the
qualities to look for in a boss based on my previous experiences. Sometimes I think I’m too subjective about
these things but, interestingly enough, when I read articles about great
leadership qualities, they invariably match.
I discussed those qualities in my previous blog: support and respect,
good communication skills, providing opportunities for growth and making personal
connections. The question is how do you
know when you actually have that great boss and

Last
time I wrote about the boss and how to be a great one. This time, I’d like to write about the
qualities to look for in a boss based on my previous experiences. Sometimes I think I’m too subjective about
these things but, interestingly enough, when I read articles about great
leadership qualities, they invariably match.
I discussed those qualities in my previous blog: support and respect,
good communication skills, providing opportunities for growth and making personal
connections. The question is how do you
know when you actually have that great boss and when to look elsewhere?

I
would argue that the ultimate answer to that is whether you are willing to
follow your boss. If your boss was to
move to a different position, would you be willing to relocate with them? If
so, what has he/she done to demonstrate and earn that kind of respect from you?
Here are some of the pieces of evidence based on my own experiences:

Support.
A few years back, I had been in the same role for a while and was feeling
what I called the “5-year Itch.” I
was ready for something different and new opportunities to be challenged
with. I went to the new head of the
department and asked for a change.
While he had assumed that I would stay in one group, he listened
carefully and agreed that it “should be a law that everyone changes jobs
every 5 years.” He listened, made
me feel comfortable, and together we evaluated my strengths and weaknesses
to identify a new opportunity that would align with my career goals. Since then, he has continued to provide
learning opportunities and, whenever I shy away from something, he
challenges me beyond my current limits.

Respect.
While I was in graduate school, I was meeting with my thesis advisor and a
Nobel laureate called her on the phone.
She picked up the phone briefly to greet the caller and went on to
explain to him that she was in an important meeting with her student. At that moment, I was more important
than a Nobel laureate.

Communication.
There are two parts to communication, but the one I consider most
important is the ability to listen.
While my boss has a lot to say (and the guy is a brilliant
visionary so I might as well let him talk), he is a great listener when he
needs to be. It is actually quite
refreshing to be able to go to his office, think out loud, vent about an
issue and work out a solution, all in 15 minutes. The key piece is that he will remember
the conversation and follow up as needed.
Early on, I mentioned to him in one of many discussions that I was
interested in obtaining a certain position within 10 years. Shortly thereafter, an article came out
about that particular position, and he forwarded it to me.

Sometimes, he
doesn’t have to do anything at all but simply listen. Not every conversation has to be about
career development or be work related; it can be about something personal that
is affecting you. Last year, as I
struggled with my mother’s illness, I found it comforting to be able to talk to
my boss about it because he could relate.
Clearly he couldn’t solve the situation, but by knowing that I was being
heard and understood, I could then put those thoughts aside and refocus on my
work.

This
sort of brings me back to personal connections.
I mentioned in my previous blog that while personal connections are
important, you don’t have to be best friends.
Nonetheless, I am happy to report that 11 years after having defended my
thesis, I still invite my thesis advisor to family events and parties. In fact, we are due for a “girl’s night
out.” After 6 years of working together
during my thesis, learning, communicating, listening and sharing, I can’t think
of a better example of why personal connections matter. My advisor has gone from great boss to mentor
to friend.